NPM Neptune Min

RNS Number:4974G
Neptune Minerals Plc
29 October 2007



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           29 October, 2007



                              NEPTUNE MINERALS PLC

                          ("Neptune" or the "Company")



          TECHNIP AND BOSKALIS ENGAGED FOR SCOPING STUDY ON SMS MINING



Neptune Minerals Plc (NPM.L) - the AIM listed explorer and developer of Seafloor
Massive Sulphide ("SMS") deposits - announces that it has commissioned a
conceptual engineering scoping study for technologies that may be used for the
commercial development of SMS deposits.  The study will be undertaken jointly by
marine engineering specialists, The Technip Group of Companies ("Technip"), and
deep-water dredging specialists, Royal Boskalis Westminster nv ("Boskalis"). The
scoping study report will be completed in first quarter 2008.

The scope of the current conceptual report is to identify and compare several
options with regard to the following operations:

*         Sub-sea mining tools and strategy;

*         SMS lifting alternatives;

*         SMS processing;

*         Water and Tailings disposal; and

*         Transport and offloading techniques.

The SMS mining options will encompass existing marine equipment and
technologies, which will be assessed for validity, operational reliability,
capacity and environmental issues.  Results will be evaluated with the aim of
making recommendations for pilot testing and for a follow-on mining
pre-feasibility study.

The Technip Group (www.technip.com)

The Paris-based Technip Group is a major player in full-service engineering and
construction services in the fields of hydrocarbons, petrochemicals and metals &
mining. Technip offers a wide range of products and technologies in the sub-sea
arena; specifically pipelines, umbilicals and riser systems. The company
provides all or part of the services for basic and detail engineering,
procurement, construction and project management.

The Boskalis Group (www.boskalis.com)

Dutch-based Royal Boskalis Westminster nv is an international group with a
leading position in the world market for dredging services. The company's core
activities are the construction and maintenance of ports and waterways, land
reclamation, coastal defense and riverbank protection.  Dredging and earthmoving
- including mining - accounts for 87% of Boskalis turnover.

Neptune's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Simon McDonald, said:

"Neptune is pleased to have engaged Technip and Boskalis to implement the
fundamental but vital step of appraising technologies to mine SMS deposits.  The
current scoping study, which will identify existing and potential mining,
lifting and processing systems, is only the first step.  It is Neptune's
intention to evaluate the results of this scoping study when available and
follow up any recommendations in a second and more detailed pre-feasibility
study."



                                      END

For further information please contact:



Simon McDonald (Neptune MD and CEO):                     info@nepmins.com



Olly Cairns (Blue Oar Securities Plc, Nomad and Broker): T: +61 (0) 8 6430 1631



Sofia Rehman (Cardew Group, PR):                         T: +44 (0) 20 7930 0777



The Neptune Minerals Website is www.neptuneminerals.com



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

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